In 1920 when the Volstead Act was passed to enforce the legislation that written in 1917 -- prohibiting the manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors.., destroying the brewing industry and closing saloons across the country. But no sooner would one saloon close -- a dozen "speakeasies" popped open. At some point, there were over 100k speakeasies in New York City.
As with most things.., the powers that be had their heads up their butt… There were more places to get loaded (stupid drunk, bombed, pissed, etc., etc…) after prohibition then there were before… Can anyone say "War on Drugs…" What usually happens in cases such as Prohibition is.., a small faction of people (gangsters, criminals, politicians, connected insiders), make all the money. And the average business man gets screwed.
One of the coolest things about Prohibition is women started drinking more… Before this ridiculous law, average women (normal) were mostly banned from saloons. Just "loose" or "very friendly" "ladies" were part of the the scene. And it was right a this time, 1920's.., that women got the right to vote -- and wanted to party!
The roaring 20's were getting underway -- flapper girls were born and women loosened up and more then took advantage of their freedom. It was the Jazz Age, the loosening of peoples morals was taking place at the same time Prohibition was put in place to do just the opposite.
"It came in with a bang of bad booze, flappers with bare legs, jangled morals and wild weekends." -- Hoagy Carmichael
It was a time to let down you hair, shorten those skirts and swing to the sounds of Duke Ellington. Red lipstick and lots of bare skin -- it was glamorous.., and so was drinking. Before Prohibition people drank with meals, but it was secondary. Now, they wanted to get stinking drunk. It was fashionable and rebellious to carry a flask (another dandy item made popular by prohibition) and thumb your nose at Prohibition.
And speakeasies took center stage for all the debauchery… They were a huge part of American culture. And not only did women frequent these unsavory establishments, they were sought after just like today. If there are good-looking women at your place.., the men will follow… But they also joined in ownership. Texas Guinan, a former showgirl (and the ghost that said God bless you, to me), opened many of her own speakeasies.
People of all colors mingled together at speakeasies -- nobody cared about race. It was all about having a good time. And still, the government cracked down, not allowing alcoholic beverages to even be shown on the big screen. But no matter what they did.., they could not tamp down the rise of the speakeasy. No matter how many owners and customers they busted, for doing nothing but enjoying themselves.., could stop the never-ending rise of the speakeasy -- it was too profitable!
New York was front and center for this boom… The Stork Club, The Cotton Club, Connie's Inn, Casa Blanca, Chumley's. From Harlem to the Village booze flowed freely. Landmark Tavern opened before Prohibition turned it's third floor into speakeasy, in an effort to keep it's doors opened.., and since 1868 has never been raided (somebody's got connections).
Everyone from the most famous celebrities, athletes, gangsters.., to your average joe enjoyed a good speakeasy -- it was cool. But there is no denying the "unsavory" factor, either… Gangsters were the main owners of these establishments.., and with gangsters comes dead bodies every now and then -- but still the party raged on.
The whole reason Prohibition were born was in an effort to reduce crime and improve social morals… But as F. Scott Fitzgerald said during prohibition -- "The parties were bigger…the pace was faster…and the morals were looser." Crime was soaring and speakeasies booming. Heck, the "cocktail" was born during this time, as barkeeps starting mixing liquor with sugar, water and other soft drinks, to make it more drinkable for the masses.., and people were drinking much more liquor than beer or wine.
Social barriers were thrown to the wind, as people from all aspects of life rubbed shoulders at the local speakeasy, taking the edge off and avoiding the law. Rich business men, blue collar guys, housewives, and corrupt lawmen and politicians all tipped a few back at there frequented speakeasy.
"When I sell liquor, it's bootlegging. When my patrons serve it on a silver tray on Lakeshore Drive, it's hospitality." -- Al Capone
As with most things the government does, it doesn't think thing through -- rationally… Not only did the number of speakeasies multiple like a bunch of drunk bunnies… But as they continued to spring up -- everyone seem to know where they were, except the government. Now, they had no idea to the location of these establishments -- no ordinances were followed to licenses obtained -- it was like the wild west. And just as today, the prisons soon became overcrowded due to alcohol related arrests -- I thought we were supposed to learn from history..?
By the time prohibition ended in 1932, basically due to public outcry for jobs, less crime and a stop to the rampant political corruption -- the word saloon was all but wiped away.., and in it's place bar owners referred to their establishments as cocktail lounges or taverns. But no matter how much things change.., they stay the same.
What these places today, that call themselves "speakeasies" don't get, at all… With all their pretension and high prices.., they completely miss the whole point of the speakeasy -- the vibe. Speakeasies were about rebellion… A way to express yourself. A way to say -- "Stop telling me what to do, Im a God Damn adult!"
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